BJ McLeod is joining Rick Ware Racing … in the Super Late Model ranks.
After testing a Super Late Model on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway, McLeod confirmed the intent to compete sporadically in short track races under the banner of the eponymous Rick Ware racing organization.
The schedule begins this weekend, at home, in the Hart to Heart Super Late Model 60 at New Smyrna.
McLeod has made a handful of Cup Series and O’Reilly Series appearances for Ware over the past decade.
“B.J. is a racer’s racer who knows how to win in a Super Late Model,” said team owner Rick Ware. “He’s built his career from the ground up and has earned a lot of respect throughout the sport. We’ve worked together before, and I’ve always appreciated his approach to racing.”
Prior to his NASCAR career as both a driver and owner, McLeod was a winner in the short track ranks, mostly in Florida. He won the 2006 Bright House Challenge Series championship out of the Sunshine State and won his first Super Late Model race at 13 at Orland Speedworld.
He’s also the 2010 World Series of Asphalt champion at New Smyrna.
“Super Late Model racing is where I got my start, and it’s something I’ve always enjoyed. I spent a lot of years racing these cars and had a lot of success, especially at New Smyrna,” McLeod said. “To have the opportunity to come back and race there with Rick is pretty special. Rick and I have known each other a long time, and we’ve always had a good relationship. We both want to win races, and that’s what we plan to do.”
McLeod does not have a set schedule and will be based around his NASCAR national touring appearances.
